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Janssen impressive in latest Tottenham defeat

Tottenham lost 1-0 to Atletico Madrid in their International Champions Cup fixture at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia.

A first-half goal from Atletico’s Diego Godin proved enough to ensure their second defeat from as many games in the competition. They lost their opening fixture 2-1 to Juventus at the same venue.

Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino began with both of his new signings Vincent Janssen and Victor Wanyama in a weakened XI. Erik Lamela and Christian Eriksen were the only two regular starters who began, but encouragingly the £17million Janssen showed promise in the absence of Harry Kane.

Atletico were also not at full strength, but Jan Oblak, Godin, Stefan Savic, Filipe Luis, Gabi, Saul Niguez and Fernando Torres were involved.

Eriken tested Atletico goalkeeper Oblak with a dangerous seventh-minute shot. Then in the 21st minute Lamela, the goalscorer against Juve, played a one-two with Janssen before striking the inside of the post.

Atletico’s goal came in the 40th minute, and after the lively Torres had already threatened.

Spurs’ Harry Winks fouled Thomas Partey and from the resulting free-kick Gabi’s delivery came off Anton Walkes to leave Godin with a two-yard tap-in.

Janssen caught the eye in the second half, when combining with substitute Son Heung-min to play in Ryan Mason, whose powerful shot was saved by Oblak.

Vincent Janssen looks slightly unrefined, but his ideas are good and he seems to understand the general team objectives.